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Category Archives: blouse

I’ll start off with this conservative but very of-the-time ladies’ blouse. Not my style (or size), but oh-so-vintage and worth collecting. In this case, it’s a well-made version from Montreal, where style has always been ascendant – so it has a good pedigree. That French influence is always a plus!

“Whipped cream”, Georgette fabric finish was popular in modern synthetics of that time. Along with the lace and embroidered trim, it adds a pretty, feminine element to the style of this shirt. I also always love little pearlized buttons wherever they turn up on vintage clothing – usually blouses and sleepwear.

Don’t know much about the history of this clothing company – sometimes the background on Canadian makers is less available. However, it’s well-made and stands up well against any American maker’s products of that time. I always love to see examples like this, no matter where they come from. Keep on bringin’ ’em on – and I do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This red shirt was custom-made, but by a western-wear retailer out West, sometime in the ’40’s, ’50’s or maybe the early ’60’s. Bespoke attire was a common luxury, even here in the U.S. Of course, it’s been a tradition and beautifully done in Europe for decades (centuries?)

I’ve recently seen some ads for what looks like business and formal clothing that can be ordered custom-made, with one fitting or at-a-distance alterations near the end of the process. An improvement on ready-to-wear, but not like having it constructed from the first detail by a tailor having that in-person relationship with you and your body, giving you a perfect fit, exact style preference and real-time preview.

And what a nice luxury it was to have that done for you, or to have the leisure time to do it yourself . . . . . . . . . ..

This is a rare blouse, in a silky rayon fabric. If it weren’t for being a war-time garment, I might think it was a silk/rayon blend but, since the war effort used silk for other purposes, it was rare to find it in any clothing (or hosiery!). Rayon was King, and it’s a fabulous fabric. I just LOVE 1940’s and ’50’s blouses!

This one I’ve had for a while. It is finished at the hem to be worn un-tucked. Rather big for me, so I wear it as a tunic style. About 2 sizes smaller, it would be beautiful under a suit, no? Great design over a skirt, however, and dynamite with slacks.

The beautiful coffee-colored embroidery is what also “makes” it. Mocha-colored items are a bit unusual, and a nice year-round color. Neutrals are just about the most elegant, and versatile, of all hues.

It’s the gorgeous details and workmanship on this shirt that really cause it to stand out. Back in the day, this kind of craftsmanship was “de rigour” and now we really have to search to find it – and usually only in true vintage garments like this one . . . . . . . . .

I’ll soon be on an investigation again, so a little patience may be needed, please, with my time-table! Here’s another wonderful find – a mod tunic blouse in a heavy synthetic knit. Similar to the fabric in yesterday’s dress from the Forties, but grown up a generation.

I love the style and the printed design, with long sleeves. Looks great with long pants, short skirts . . . . . . An excellent choice for cool Spring-ish weather.

This design has a little short zipper at the back neckline and falls mostly straight, with a little shaping in the torso. As you can see on Madge, the fit is very flattering.

Vintage knits are almost always wonderful, regardless of the type of fabric. Usually they are heavy and drape well. That’s what makes them fit so beautifully. And, of course, the design is on the back, too. No cutting corners on the best true vintage!

It’s always a treat when these turn up – looks like 1960’s in both cases, but they’re a bit of a mystery. The best thing about them is the quality and construction. Of course, this type of photo doesn’t do them justice.

The blouse on the left is very casual and basic, but the fabric is really nice. It’s some kind of a blend of cotton and rayon. Feels smooth to touch and has a gloss, and I love the colors and the plaid, too. Both have rounded wing collars, though the style on the right is much more sophisticated.

The blouse on the right is a star. Not only is it made from a REALLY nice rayon fabric, but the tailoring is wonderful! The buttons are all fabric-covered. The retro-1940’s style is pretty with light shoulder padding and puffed sleeves. What I like best is that it is FITTED!!!!!!!!! Can’t believe it – it’s so rare to find a nicely fitted blouse or shirt because they just don’t make them now. Spandex added to fabric molds to the body pretty well, but is a cheaper-looking alternative and can’t compare to a blouse with fitted seaming that is done properly. The look is completely different, and much more elegant.

Not a big day on the treasure hunt, but still a time for FUN. This custom-tailored Sixties blouse is all that these separates used to be!

Made from textured poly flower-power print fabric in the blue-green color combo that was really popular for a while during that decade. It has a scalloped hem in front (look carefully and you can see) and an almost full-length metal zipper in back.

Although a lot of the mid-century garments are fairly plain in their design and, especially some that were made at home – there are almost always little design touches or tailoring details that betray their well-bred and elegant background. Most clothing made during this time still reflected the superior tailoring that was the norm in previous decades.

So, we see a bit of this evidence in the example of this blouse. Sometimes (often) I have to give respect to the simplest true vintage clothing because of the care with which it was constructed. Wonder what I’ll find the next time I go hunting . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .